Long-term donor outcomes after living kidney donation.
Kidney transplant is the first choice of treatment for end-stage renal failure. The issue of long-term donor safety again has been raised by recent increases in living-donor kidney transplants worldwide, relaxation of donor selection criteria, and the introduction of new surgical techniques. In this review, we collated the results of various studies to discuss the effects of donation on the quality of life of donors, encompassing their physical, mental, and social well-being. We found that the health risks donors face are minimal in the long term with respect to renal function, hypertension, and life span. Furthermore, donors scored higher in quality of life studies than did persons in the general population. Despite these findings, there is a clear need to monitor the minimal risks with long-term follow-up of donors to promptly recognize and treat any negative health effects. Such data from thorough follow-up studies also would provide accurate information on longterm donor health and improve the safe expansion of donor selection criteria.
Soneji
N D
ND
Imperial College London, The West London Renal and Transplant Centre, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Vyas
J
J
Papalois
V E
VE
D000419:Albuminuria / Q000453:epidemiology; D003906:Developing Countries; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D007668:Kidney; D019520:Living Donors / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008603:Mental Health; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012919:Social Behavior; D013997:Time Factors